Air Force veteran wins $1M in lottery 5 days after honorable discharge

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RALEIGH — Civilian life for a 14-year Air Force veteran from Greensboro, N.C., started off with a big lottery win, according to North Carolina Education Lottery officials.

Staff Sgt. La’Saun McNair, who worked in the IT field during his military career, was honorably discharged after a 14-year Air Force career last weekend, according to a news release.

Five days later, he found himself standing in the All In One Stop on South Elm Eugene Street holding a $120 Million Cash instant scratch-off ticket worth $1 million.

“I had stopped in to play Pick 3 when I thought I’d try my luck,” the release quoted McNair as saying. “I saw that I had matched the number 10 and it said I had won a million dollars. I sat there looking at the ticket and it just didn’t register. Then I went straight home to tell my mom and my heart started beating so fast, I couldn’t believe it. It was one of the best days of my life.”

Players who win $1 million in the $120 Million Cash game can elect to receive annual payments of $50,000 for 20 years or take a lump sum cash option of $600,000. McNair chose the cash option and received a check for $408,006 after state and federal taxes were withheld.

“I’m going to buy a new house and invest the rest,” McNair said. “I may take a vacation, as well. But I’m going to stay humble. I feel great. I feel blessed.”